Teaching toothbrush

ABSTRACT

A toothbrush for setting and communicating brushing time and for providing instructional and encouragement messages during brushing includes a handle with a hollow interior, a controller capable, upon activation, of generating such messages, a power source electrically connected to the controller, a speaker for emitting such messages and a switch for activating the controller and enabling the speaker to emit the messages. A timer is provided to terminate operation of the speaker after a predetermined amount of time. A digital or a conventional clock is disposed on the surface of the handle and cooperates with the timer for visual communication of the elapsed brushing time.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a toothbrush for dentalhygiene and, more particularly, this invention relates to a toothbrushfor communicating proper brushing time and for providing instructionaland encouragement messages during brushing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional toothbrushes have been used extensively over a long periodto maintain dental hygiene. Lately, to enhance a user's ability toproperly clean teeth, various improvements have been made in the areasof shape and pattern of bristles, orientation and the shape of thetoothbrush head, incorporation of motors and linkages to rotate the heador move bristles in an oscillating or a reciprocating manner and thelike.

While these improvements have enhanced the ability to clean teeth, theybenefit primarily older users who, over time, became convinced in thebenefits of tooth cleaning and have developed proper brushingtechniques.

Attempts have been made to provide children and particularly youngchildren with instructions and encouragements during brushing.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,451 to Moore et al teaches an instructionaltoothbrush with a visual indicator and a complex motion sensingmechanism which is only activated when the toothbrush is being used inaccordance with recommended tooth brushing techniques.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,389,633 to Rosen describes a motion sensing assemblydriving a small LCD screen or a speaker to output visual or audiblerewards to the user.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0000017 to Kumagai generates differentvoice messages or musical tones based on the pulse values counted from aswingable contact-type switch.

Such attempts failed to provide a toothbrush that teaches children and,particularly young children, a proper brushing time period and providesproper instructions and encouragements according to such time period.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved toothbrush for setting andcommunicating a proper brushing time and for teaching brushingtechniques and providing encouragement to children during brushing whichis economical to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a toothbrush for setting and communicatingbrushing time and providing instructional and encouragement messagesduring brushing. The toothbrush includes a handle with a hollowinterior, a control member capable, upon activation, of generating suchmessages, a power source electrically connected to the control member, aspeaker for emitting such messages and a switch for activating thecontrol member and enabling the speaker to emit the messages. A timer isprovided to terminate operation of the speaker after a predeterminedamount of time. Alternatively, the switch may be manually operable toterminate operation of the speaker or a second switch may be providedfor such purposes. A digital or a conventional clock is disposed on thesurface of the handle and cooperates with the timer for visualcommunication of the elapsed brushing time. A graphical indicia such asa smiling facial representation is disposed on the surface of the handleand is aligned with the conventional clock. The toothbrush is configuredfor manual or powered operation.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention toprovide a teaching toothbrush setting and communicating brushing timeand for teaching brushing techniques and encouraging the user duringbrushing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a teachingtoothbrush which emits instructional and encouraging voice messages.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a teachingtoothbrush which includes a time display providing information on theelapsed time during brushing.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a teachingtoothbrush which includes a timer for controlling the duration of thevoice messages and for enabling generation of the voice messages inaccordance with the elapsed time.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a teachingtoothbrush which is electrically powered.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a teachingtoothbrush which is economical to manufacture.

In addition to the several objects and advantages of the presentinvention which have been described with some degree of specificityabove, various other objects and advantages of the invention will becomemore readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevantart, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction withthe attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a teaching toothbrush of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a teaching toothbrush of thepresent invention, particularly showing the time display members; and

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the presentinvention, it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity andunderstanding, identical components which have identical functions havebeen identified with identical reference numerals throughout the severalviews illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, to FIGS. 1-3, wherein there is shown atoothbrush, generally designated 10, for setting and communicatingbrushing time and for providing instructions, encouragement and guidingduring teeth brushing. Such toothbrush 10 includes a plurality ofbristles 12 mounted on a head 14 which is connected to a first end of aneck 16. The second end of the neck 16 is connected to a handle 18. Thehandle 18 has a hollow inner portion 20 and a wall 22.

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is a control means 30disposed within the hollow interior portion 20, which is capable, uponactivation, of generating a predetermined sound for providing one ofinstruction, encouragement, guidance and a combination thereof duringbrushing. A power source 32 is disposed within the hollow interiorportion and electrically connected to the control means 30. The powersource 32 may be a DC power source, such as a battery or a cordconnection to an electrical outlet. The battery 32 may be a rechargeableor a non rechargeable type. There is a speaker 34 disposed within thehollow interior portion 20, preferably adjacent distal end 26 of thehandle 18 and which is electrically connected to the control means 30and to the power source 32 for emitting the predetermined sound. Thepredetermined sound may be one of a voice messaging, musical tone,signal tone or various combinations thereof. The presently preferredpredetermined sound is a plurality of voice messages providinginstructional information and encouragement to the user during brushing.Such voices messages may include but are not limited to “Three minutes,get going” “Let's get these teeth clean” “One minute left” “Now reachthose back teeth” “Good job, you are really good at it” and the like.

A switch means 36 is connected to the control means 30 for activatingthe control means 30 and enabling the speaker 34 to emit thepredetermined sound.

The switch means 36 activates such control means 30. Preferably, suchswitch means 36 is a pushbutton type, best shown in FIG. 3, which isadvantageous for use by a small child.

The toothbrush 10 is further provided with a timing means 38 disposedwithin the hollow interior portion 20 which is connected to the controlmeans 30 and to the power source 32. Such timing means 40 is operable byone of the switch means 36, the control means 30 or a combinationthereof to terminate operation of the speaker 34 after a predeterminedduration. Such predetermined duration may be fixed for a predeterminednumber of minutes or such duration may be variable and selectable by theuser depending on the age of the child. Additionally, the timing means40 may be configured to enable the user to define the brushing durationby inputting a desired number of minutes.

Advantageously, the timing means 40 enables the predetermined sound tobe varied based on the elapsed increments of such predeterminedduration. For example, when the brushing duration is set at threeminutes, the instructional voice messages, at one and two minuteintervals, may instruct the user to focus on different areas of theupper and lower teeth thus aiding the user in determining adequatebrushing time for each area of the teeth. If the brushing duration hasnot been defined, the instructional and encouragement message may followa predetermined sequence stored in the control means 30.

While the timing means 40 automatically terminates operation of thespeaker 34 after the predetermined duration has elapsed, the switchmeans 36 may be configured to manually terminate operation of thespeaker 34. In such embodiment, the switch means 36 is preferably asliding type movable between a first position enabling operation of thespeaker 34 and a second position disabling the operation of the speaker34. Alternatively, a second switch (not shown) may be provided formanually terminating operation of the speaker 34.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that timing means 40 maybe integrated into the control means 30.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the toothbrush 10 isprovided with a time display means, generally designated 41, which inthe presently preferred embodiment includes a shaft 42 mounted forrotation and having a first end protruding through an aperture 44disposed in the wall 22 of the handle 18, as best shown in FIG. 3. Thereis at least one head 46 disposed on the first end of the shaft 42 forrotation therewith. Numeral indicia 48, best shown in FIG. 2, isdisposed in a circular pattern on a portion of an exterior surface ofthe handle 18 and is aligned radially with an axis of the aperture 44.The drive means 50 is disposed within the hollow interior portion 20 andconnected to a second end of the shaft 42 for enabling rotation thereof.Such drive means 50 is operable by at least the timing means 40 torotate the at least one head 46 for such predetermined duration. In thepresently preferred embodiment, the drive means 50 is a small electricmotor connected to the power source 32 and further connected to thecontrol means 30.

The toothbrush 10 may be further provided with a predetermined graphicalindicia 52 disposed on the outer surface of the handle 18 andsubstantially aligned with the numeral indicia 48 and the at least onehead 46. Such predetermined graphical indicia 52 may be a smiling facialrepresentation shown in FIG. 2, a graphical partial tooth representationor graphical representation of upper and lower tooth arches. Thegraphical tooth representation may be advantageous in teaching smallchildren about various tooth nomenclature and their order and may becolor coded to aid in such teaching. Alternatively, such graphicalindicia 48 may be provided in combination with the switch means 36.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the handle 18 includesa compressible portion 28 which is engageable with the switch means 36disposed within the hollow interior portion 20, whereby a compression ofthe compressible portion 28 enables one of actuation, deactuation and acombination thereof of the switch means 36. Advantageously, in suchembodiment, the switch means 36 may be integrated into the control means30. Furthermore, the portion of the exterior surface of the handle 18aligned with such compressible portion 28 may be shifted in a directiontowards a longitudinal axis of the handle 18 in order to substantiallyalign such compressible portion 28 with the exterior surface of thehandle 18 as best shown in FIG. 3.

Alternatively, as best shown in FIG. 2, the compressible portion 28engages the portion 38 of the switch means 36 which protrudes throughthe wall 22 of the handle 18, whereby the compression of thecompressible portion 28 enables one of actuation, deactuation and thecombination thereof of the switch means 36.

Yet, alternatively, the switch means 36 may be adapted to be operable bya portion of the shaft 42 of the time display means 41 enabling the userto activate the speaker 34 by pressing onto graphical indicia 52. Aninstructional text or a second graphical indicia (not shown) may bedisposed on the surface of the handle 18 alerting the user to press thegraphical indicia 52.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the time displaymeans 41 may be a digital display 54, such as an LCD screen, visiblethrough the wall 22 of the handle and connected to at least the timingmeans 38 for at least incrementally displaying an elapsed brushing time.

A material of the toothbrush 10 may be one of a plastic, plastic atleast partially coated with rubber, rubber, metal and variouscombinations thereof. A color of the toothbrush 10 will be predeterminedbased on specific application.

According to well known toothbrush construction methods, the head 14,the neck 16 and the handle 18 may be removably or rigidly attachedtherebetween. The neck 18 may be formed as a flexible neck 18.

Furthermore, the head 14 may be mounted for rotation on the neck 16 androtatable by a drive mechanism 56 disposed within the hollow handle 18and a linkage 58 routed through a hollow neck 16, as best represented inFIG. 1. Advantageously, such drive mechanism 56 may be operable by theswitch means 36.

Additionally, the plurality of bristles 12 may be attached to a bristlecarrier (not shown) movably mounted on the head 14 and driven by thedrive mechanism 56 and the linkage 58 in an oscillating or reciprocatingmanner.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that the toothbrush 10of the present invention may be encased into a package body, providedwith a stand which may further include means for recharging therechargeable power source 32. It will be further apparent to thoseskilled in the art, that various embodiments of the present inventionmay be incorporated into a toothbrush presently having the hollow handle18, the power source 32, and the drive means 56 and the linkage 58.

The toothbrush 10 may be further provided with any well known means forsensing a motion of the toothbrush and emitting predetermined messageswhen the motion has ceased for a predetermined amount of time.

Thus, the present invention has been described in such full, clear,concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art towhich it pertains to make and use the same. It will be understood thatvariations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for componentsof the specifically described embodiments of the invention may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

1. In combination with a toothbrush having a plurality of bristles, ahead, a neck and a handle, the improvement comprising: (a) a hollowinterior portion disposed within said handle; (b) a control meansdisposed within said hollow interior portion, said control meanscapable, upon activation, of generating a predetermined sound forproviding one of an instruction, encouragement, guidance and acombination thereof during brushing; (c) a power source disposed withinsaid hollow interior portion and connected to said control means; (d) aspeaker disposed within said hollow interior portion and connected tosaid control means and said power source for emitting said predeterminedsound; and (e) a switch means connected to said control means foractivating said control means and for enabling said speaker to emit saidpredetermined sound.
 2. The improvement, according to claim 1, whereinsaid toothbrush includes a timing means disposed within said hollowinterior portion and connected to at least said control means, saidtiming means operable by one of said switch means, said control meansand a combination thereof to terminate operation of said speaker after apredetermined duration.
 3. The improvement, according to claim 2,wherein said predetermined sound is preselected based on an elapsedincrement of said predetermined duration as determined by said timingmeans.
 4. The improvement, according to claim 2, wherein saidpredetermined duration is one of a fixed, variable, variable andselectable by a user, definable by said user and various combinationsthereof.
 5. The improvement, according to claim 2, wherein saidtoothbrush further includes a digital display visible through a wall ofsaid handle, said display connected at least to said timing means forincrementally displaying an elapsed brushing time.
 6. The improvement,according to claim 2, wherein said toothbrush further includes: (a) ashaft mounted for rotation and having a first end protruding through anaperture disposed in a wall of said handle; (b) at least one headdisposed on said first end for rotation therewith; (c) a numeral indiciadisposed in a circular pattern on a surface of said handle and alignedradially with an axis of said aperture; and (d) means disposed withinsaid hollow interior portion and connected to a second end of said shaftfor enabling rotation thereof, said rotation enabling means is operableby at least said timing means to rotate said at least one head for saidpredetermined duration.
 7. The improvement, according to claim 6,wherein said toothbrush further includes a predetermined graphicalindicia disposed on said surface of said handle and substantiallyaligned with said numeral indicia and said at least one head.
 8. Theimprovement, according to claim 1, wherein said switch means is manuallyoperable to terminate operation of said speaker.
 9. The improvement,according to claim 1, wherein said toothbrush further includes a secondswitch means for manually terminating operation of said speaker.
 10. Theimprovement, according to claim 1, wherein said handle includes acompressible portion and wherein said switch means is disposed withinsaid hollow interior portion and engageable with said compressibleportion, whereby a compression of said compressible portion enables oneof actuation, deactuation and a combination thereof of said switchmeans.
 11. The improvement, according to claim 1, wherein said handleincludes a compressible portion and wherein said switch means isdisposed within said hollow interior portion and has a portion thereofprotruding through a wall of said handle and engageable with saidcompressible portion, whereby a compression of said compressible portionenables one of actuation, deactuation and a combination thereof of saidswitch.
 12. The improvement, according to claim 1, wherein saidpredetermined sound is one of a voice messaging, musical tone, signaltone and various combinations thereof.
 13. The improvement, according toclaim 1, wherein said toothbrush has a predetermined material and atleast one predetermined color.
 14. The improvement, according to claim1, wherein said neck is flexible.
 15. The improvement, according toclaim 1, wherein said head, said neck and said handle are one ofremovably and rigidly connected therebetween.
 16. The improvement,according to claim 1, wherein said head is mounted for rotation on saidneck and rotatable by a drive mechanism disposed within said hollowhandle and a hollow neck.
 17. The improvement, according to claim 1,wherein said toothbrush further includes a bristle carrier movablymounted on said head and a drive mechanism disposed within said hollowhandle and a hollow neck for driving said bristle carrier in one of anoscillating and a reciprocating manner.
 18. The improvement, accordingto claim 1, wherein said toothbrush is encased in a package body.
 19. Incombination with a toothbrush having a plurality of bristles, a head, aneck and a handle, the improvement comprising: (a) a hollow interiorportion disposed within such handle; (b) a control means disposed withinsaid hollow interior portion; (c) a power source disposed within saidhollow interior portion and connected to said control means; (d) aswitch means connected to said control means for activating said controlmeans and enabling a speaker to emit a predetermined sound; (e) a timingmeans disposed within said hollow interior portion and connected to saidcontrol means, said timing means operable by one of said switch means,said control means and a combination thereof to terminate operation ofsaid speaker after a predetermined duration; and (f) a time displaymeans substantially aligned with a graphical tooth representationdisposed on a surface of said handle in a predetermined portion thereof,said time display means having a shaft mounted for rotation and having afirst end protruding through an aperture aligned with said graphicaltooth representation, at least one head disposed on said first end forrotation therewith, a numeral indicia disposed in a circular pattern ona surface of said handle and aligned radially with an axis of saidaperture, and drive means disposed within said hollow interior portionand connected to a second end of said shaft for enabling rotationthereof, said drive means is operable by at least said timing means torotate said at least one head for said predetermined duration.
 20. Incombination with a toothbrush having a plurality of bristles, a head, aneck, a hollow handle, a switch means and a power source disposed withinsaid hollow handle, the improvement comprising: (a) a control meansdisposed within such hollow handle and connected to such power sourceand to such switch means, said control means capable, upon activation bysuch switch means, of generating a predetermined sound for providing oneof an instruction, encouragement, guidance and combination thereofduring brushing; (b) a speaker disposed within such hollow handle andconnected to said control means and such power source for emitting saidpredetermined sound; and (c) a timing means disposed within such hollowhandle and connected to said control means, said timing means operableby one of such switch means, said control means and a combinationthereof to terminate operation of said speaker after a predeterminedduration.